"A fine man," says Pinch-a-Penny. "None finer."
With that young Tom broke out crying. "He were a kind father t' we," says he. "An' now he's dead!"
"You lacked nothin' in your father's lifetime," says Peter.
"An' now he's dead!"
"Well, well, you've no call t' be afeared o' goin' hungry on that account," says Peter, laying an arm over the lad's shoulder. "No, nor none o' the little crew over t' your house. Take up the fishin' where your father left it off, lad," says he, "an' you'll find small difference. I'll cross out your father's name on the books an' put down your own in its stead."
"I'm fair obliged," says Tom. "That's kind, sir."
"Nothin' like kindness t' ease sorrow," says Pinch-a-Penny. "Your father died in debt, lad."
"Ay, sir?"
"Deep."
"How much, sir?"